04 August 2025
Doctor at Your Door or on Your Screen? : Comparing Home Visits and Virtual GP Care
When you’re unwell, the last thing you want is to wait in line, travel across the city, or guess whether your symptoms need urgent care. Whether it’s a sudden high fever, persistent cough, or a different health concern that’s been nagging you all week, getting medical attention quickly and comfortably can make all the difference.
Doctorcall makes it easy to access a private GP in a way that suits your needs, wherever you are. Whether you’re at home, staying in a hotel, or working from the office, our flexible services are designed to fit around your schedule and your preferences. From video consultations for quick, remote advice to in-person visits for hands-on care, we aim to provide expert medical support without the hassle of travelling to a clinic or sitting in a waiting room.
We understand that when you’re unwell or caring for someone who is, convenience, comfort, and timely care matter. That’s why our services are built around access, discretion, and reassurance delivered by experienced and highly qualified GPs.
In this article, we’ll outline the differences between the types of GP appointments we offer, help you decide which is right for your situation, and explain why, for many patients, the personal support of a doctor at your door can offer clarity and comfort that remote care sometimes can’t match.
Doctor on Your Screen: What to Expect from a Doctorcall Video Consultation
A video consultation allows you to speak with a Doctorcall GP from wherever you are, using your phone, tablet, or computer. Our private GPs can assess your symptoms, offer guidance, provide prescriptions, or recommend next steps, all from the comfort of your own space. It’s fast, discreet, and ideal for straightforward concerns like skin conditions, minor infections, travel health queries, or medication reviews.
How It Works:
➔ Book your appointment online or by phone
➔ Pre-pay and share your symptoms ahead of the call
➔ At the scheduled time, your GP will initiate the video consultation
➔ You’ll receive expert advice, and if needed, a prescription or onward referral
Most appointments are available same-day or at short notice, making it a convenient solution when time or distance is a factor.
Prefer to Speak by Phone?
Doctorcall also offers audio or telephone consultations. This can be a helpful option if you’re on the move, experiencing technical difficulties, or simply prefer not to appear on screen.
➔ A telephone consultation may be suitable if:
➔ You need quick medical advice on a known condition
➔ You have questions about a prescription or medication
➔ You’re following up after a recent consultation
➔ You’re in a setting where video isn’t possible
However, phone calls do have limitations. Without being able to see you, your GP may not be able to:
🔹Assess visible symptoms like rashes, swelling, or injuries
🔹Observe your general appearance and behaviour (or that of a child or elderly patient)
🔹Spot non-verbal signs that may help with diagnosis
In these cases, a video consultation or GP home visit may be more appropriate.
Need to Decide What’s Best? We’ll Guide You!
Not sure if your situation calls for a video consultation or a doctor at your door? You don’t need to decide alone. Our team can help you choose the best option based on your symptoms, location, and preferences.
Special Note: If you book a video or telephone consultation and the doctor decides you need a home visit instead, you won’t be charged for the call at all. You’ll only pay for the home visit.
Doctor at Your Door: How Doctorcall Private GP Home Visits Work
A Doctorcall GP home visit means one of our experienced doctors visits you in person, at home, at your hotel, or even at your office. We pioneered this service in London in 1989, and today we remain the UK’s longest-standing and best-known provider of private visiting doctor services. GP Home Visits are available 24/7 in London with live ETAs.
Our doctors are fully qualified and experienced. You can rely on them for fast, high-quality care, whether it’s a sudden illness, a complex set of symptoms, or simply the comfort of being treated at home, at work, your hotel or wherever that suits you.
When a home visit is ideal:
➔ You’re too unwell to travel or unsure what’s causing your symptoms
➔ A physical examination is needed (e.g. chest, abdomen, ear or throat checks)
➔ You’re caring for a child, elderly relative or vulnerable adult
➔ You’re a visitor to the UK and need private, discreet care
➔ You prefer in-person reassurance or require longer appointment times
Why patients choose GP home visits:
✔️ One-to-one care in a setting that’s familiar and stress-free
✔️ Immediate access to prescriptions, referrals and follow-up testing if needed
✔️ No clinic queues, no waiting rooms, no travel
✔️ Live ETAs in London and same-day availability in other cities
✔️ Ideal for urgent medical needs, second opinions, or complex concerns
Our GPs can treat a wide range of issues from backache and migraines to tonsillitis and minor infections and can take blood samples for testing during the visit, with results often available within 24 hours. If further care is needed, we can provide referral letters for specialist consultations or follow-up.
A GP Home Visit vs Video Consultation: Key Differences at a Glance
When a Video Consultation Might Be Enough
For many patients, a video consultation is the fastest and most efficient way to speak to a GP. It’s ideal when your symptoms are mild or you simply need clinical guidance without the need for a physical examination.
Situations where a video consultation is appropriate:
🔹You have mild symptoms such as a sore throat, cough, rash, or minor digestive upset
🔹You need advice on existing medication or a prescription
🔹You’re managing a long-term condition and need a quick check-in
🔹You’re short on time and looking for medical reassurance without leaving home
Our GPs can assess your concerns in detail, offer treatment plans, and issue prescriptions when appropriate. If during your consultation the doctor feels an in-person visit is necessary, they can recommend and arrange a home visit or refer you for further tests.
Benefits of video consultations:
🔹Especially helpful if you’re at work, caring for a child, or away from home
🔹Available across the UK
🔹No travel or waiting room stress
🔹Often same-day, even within a few hours
When a Home Visit Is the Better Option
While video consultations are convenient, there are times when nothing replaces seeing a doctor face to face. A GP visiting you in person brings the full range of clinical assessment tools to your door and offers greater reassurance for complex, unclear, or concerning symptoms.
Book a GP Home Visit if:
🔹You’re feeling too unwell to travel, or symptoms are worsening
🔹Your symptoms require physical examination (e.g. earache, chest tightness, abdominal pain, fever)
🔹You’re responsible for a child, elderly person, or vulnerable adult and want them seen in person
🔹You’re a visitor or business traveller in the UK and prefer a discreet, on-location visit
🔹You want extra time and peace of mind, especially for undiagnosed or complex symptoms
Why patients prefer home visits:
🔹More thorough assessments including vital signs, physical exams, and visual checks
🔹Longer appointment times allow for deeper conversation and holistic care
🔹No need to move when unwell, ideal for flu, migraines, or acute fatigue
🔹A more personal, supportive experience at home, in a hotel, or at work
Our GP home visit patients often tell us that being seen in person changed how they felt about their care, especially when they were far from home or unsure how serious their symptoms were.
We offer both video consultations and private GP home visits, depending on what you need. You don’t have to decide upfront, our team can guide you to the most appropriate option based on your symptoms, location, and preferences.
✔️24/7 home visits in London with live ETAs
✔️Same-day home visits in other major UK cities
✔️Video consultations available UK-wide
✔️All services provided by experienced, UK-registered GPs
Final Advice: Not Sure What You Need? Start with a Call
If you’re unsure whether your concern needs a home visit, you can start with an audio or video consultation or call our team for advice. We can upgrade your virtual consultation to a home visit if it’s the better option for your care, and you will not be charged for the call.
Whatever you choose, Doctorcall is here to make healthcare easy, fast, and professional, wherever you are.